Family relief as student’s body is found after a long search

THE family of student Michael Bugler said last night they were relieved after a body was found in the search for the young man.

Although there has been no official confirmation that the remains found are those of 20-year-old law student Michael, his older sister Laura posted an emotional message to Facebook after the discovery was made.

Mr Bugler has been missing for three weeks and yesterday one of his search parties spotted a body just 20 metres off the coast near Oranmore, Co. Galway. In the post yesterday, sister Laura said: ‘On behalf of myself, my family and Michael’s friends I’d like to thank you all for your help and support over the past 3 weeks.

‘Thankfully we are so relieved to finally have Michael home.’

It is believed a blue jumper discovered on the body was similar to the one Michael was wearing on the night he went missing in Galway city.

Galway RNLI confirmed they recovered the body of a young man from the waters at Renville in Oranmore yesterday afternoon close to Ardfry point.

The body was removed to Galway University Hospital where a post-mortem is expected to be carried out.

The search for the NUI Galway student had been underway in that area of Galway yesterday when the discovery was made.

Friends and family last night offered their condolences to the family of the student, who is originally from Co. Clare.

One mourner on social media wrote: ‘Thinking of you all during this time, you’re an amazing bunch of people.’